Spiraea is poisonous or not. Spiraea and its beneficial properties - when your stomach hurts

Meadowsweet is one of the representatives of the genus Meadowsweet (Filipendula), the species of which were previously classified in the genus Spiraea, which became famous among lovers of home gardening. Unlike its relatives, meadowsweet - this is another name for this plant - does not have any special decorative qualities, but it has a number of extraordinary medicinal properties, thanks to which it has been used in medicine since 1600. folk medicine. Filipendula ulmaria (synonyms: Spiraea ulmaria and Ulmaria pentapetala) in a number of countries belongs to pharmacopoeial plants used in scientific medicine. Some folk names for meadowsweet (for example, marsh lungwort or oregano, the same names as well-known medicinal plants) eloquently emphasize its medicinal properties, although they cause confusion when reading folk recipes.

Meadowsweet has its own priorities - it prefers to settle on fairly moist soils, along the banks of reservoirs, in wetlands or damp forests. For medicinal needs, the entire plant is harvested, cutting off the above-ground part after the flowers have fully bloomed (June is the optimal time for collection). It is recommended to dry meadowsweet grass at a temperature not exceeding 40 °C to avoid loss of valuable essential oil. The grass tied in bunches is hung on a wire, with a cloth laid underneath to collect fallen flowers.

Meadowsweet roots are also used as medicinal raw materials, but one should remember about the renewal of natural resources, so autumn harvesting of roots must be carried out taking into account expediency, always leaving several copies of plants intact.

Chemical composition of meadowsweet

An essential oil was found in meadowsweet grass, which contains salicylic acid and its derivatives (methyl ester and aldehyde), as well as other chemicals of organic origin. The aerial part of meadowsweet contains carotene and ascorbic acid, therefore it is often used in cooking for preparing spring salads, seasoning borscht and soups.

Biological effect of meadowsweet on the body

The main therapeutic effect of meadowsweet preparations is associated with the presence salicylic acid and salicylates, which have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Decoctions of meadowsweet roots (flowers) increase diuresis and sweating, that is, they have diuretic and diaphoretic properties. Meadowsweet preparations have a mild analgesic effect and promote wound healing. Dried meadowsweet flowers are used as substitutes for tea leaves (tonic properties).

In folk medicine, the use of aqueous extracts (decoctions and infusions) of meadowsweet is practiced for the treatment of diseases associated with disorders water-salt metabolism(gout, rheumatism, etc.). Meadowsweet is also used for edema of various origins, in particular those resulting from cardiovascular diseases.

Externally, a decoction of meadowsweet is used in the form of lotions and compresses prescribed for the treatment of festering wounds and ulcers, as well as for douching (in gynecological practice).

Previously, meadowsweet was used for bites poisonous snakes or rabid animals.

Recipes using meadowsweet

– Infusion of flowers (). The product is used to relieve swelling (dropsy), as well as in the treatment of disorders metabolic processes(rheumatism, gout). An infusion is prepared by brewing 1 - 2 tsp. dried meadowsweet flowers in 250 ml of boiling water (strain the liquid after 10 minutes). Take the product in small sips 2 times a day. The infusion is often effective in colds accompanied by fever and increased temperature. In such cases, tea (infusion) is taken before bed to cause increased sweating.

– Infusion of meadowsweet flowers. For 400 ml of boiling water - 2 – 3 tsp. dried flowers. Infuse in a thermos for 3 – 4 hours. The drug is prescribed orally as a diuretic (edema of various origins), for colds (diaphoretic), for pain in the stomach and intestines (mild pain reliever) and diarrhea.

– Infusion of fresh flowers. It is prepared from fresh meadowsweet flowers, which must be filled with cold water (boiled or spring water) in a 1:1 ratio by volume. Infuse in a sealed container for half a day, then drain the liquid and squeeze out the herb. For preservation (preserving the infusion from souring), add 100 ml of 10% calendula tincture to the composition. Keep medicinal drug must be in a cool place. The infusion is used for the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory and viral infections (acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, sore throat). For prevention, it is enough to use the infusion 1 - 2 ml up to 3 times a day. For treatment, the dosage is increased to 1 tsp. appointment. The drug can also be used to prevent herpetic rashes if you are prone to them. Start off prophylactic appointment it is necessary shortly before the expected exacerbation of the disease, in courses from 3 to 7 days.

– Herbal infusion. For a glass of water (chilled and boiled) - 1 tsp. meadowsweet herbs. Infuse in a sealed container for 8 hours. Take 50 ml up to 4 times a day before meals. Indications for internal use of herbal infusion are the same as for flower infusion. Externally, the drug is prescribed for the treatment of traumatic skin lesions with obvious signs inflammatory process and suppuration (wounds, ulcers), as well as in the form of compresses for furunculosis (after opening the abscess). The infusion can also be used to wash your hair (to strengthen and enhance hair growth).

– Ointment. A mixture of petroleum jelly and aqueous lanolin is used as a fat base, 9 and 6 parts respectively. Powdered meadowsweet leaves (5 parts) are thoroughly mixed with the base melted in a water bath, and then cooled. The ointment is used to treat dermatological problems, for example, psoriasis (lubricate the affected areas of the skin 2 - 3 times a day).

– Flower powder. Dried meadowsweet flowers, crushed into powder, are used as a powder to treat burns, bedsores, diaper rash, etc.

Meadowsweet in oncology

The medicinal properties of meadowsweet make it possible to use it in multicomponent preparations used for the treatment and prevention of cancer.

Collection for treatment gynecological problems . Traditional healers This medicinal collection is recommended for the treatment of endometritis and fibroids. The collection includes:

– flowers, sandy cumin, and calendula;
– meadowsweet grass and;
– juniper berries;
– rhizomes of snakeweed and.

All components of the collection taken in equal parts, chop and mix thoroughly. For 2 cups of boiling water – 3 tbsp. herbal mixture. Place in a water bath in a tightly sealed container for an hour and a half, then cool and strain. Take half a glass 2 hours after meals. The course of treatment can last up to 1 year, depending on the degree of exhaustion of the body.

Medicinal properties of meadowsweet in homeopathy

Meadowsweet has not been ignored by homeopaths, who prepare it from fresh roots drug “Spiraea ulmaria”. The drug is usually prescribed in the form of the original tincture, or in dilutions of Dl and D2 up to 15 drops per dose (several times a day). The main area of application of the homeopathic drug “Spiraea ulmaria” is the treatment of articular rheumatism (chronic and in the acute stage).

Side effects and contraindications

When treating with meadowsweet preparations, no special contraindications have been identified; In general, recommendations regarding the use of salicylates should be followed.

Beautiful decorative, perennial bushes growing in the form of a hedge and creating the effect of snow on green branches are Gray Spiraea. An unpretentious plant loved by many gardeners. Shrubs look great in any landscape design, and often serve as a backdrop in a composition of contrasting flowers. Spirea is popularly called the “bride” bush, because during flowering the arched branches bend close to the ground and are covered with baskets of small, white flowers similar to the veil and dress of the bride. It is also called “meadowsweet”, but this is not quite the correct meaning and does not convey all the features of Spiraea sulfur.

Description of "Grefsheim

Spiraea Gray (Grefsheim - Grefsheim) is an ornamental, fast-growing, deciduous shrub, the species is resistant to winter frosts down to - 27 ° C, bred artificially in Norway in 1949, by crossing Spiraea St. John's and whitish-gray spirea. Belongs to the “Pink” family, the subfamily is “plum”.

The flowers are small, white, collected in small inflorescences and located throughout the branch in a checkerboard pattern. Several stamens (pale yellow) emerge from each flower in the form of thin threads, which create a fluffy appearance in inflorescences. Spirea blooms from May to June (up to 50 days). From flowers coming delicate aroma with notes of honey, its flowers are good honey plants. Flowers look good not only in the garden, but also in spring bouquets, which can last in a vase for up to 3 weeks. The bush begins to bloom from 3-4 years of age;

The leaves above are gray-green in color, below the color is 2-3 tones lower than the top, have a lanceolate shape;
The branches are woody below, young green at the tips, curved in an arc towards the ground;
The height of the plant ranges from 90 cm to 1.5 m. In some gardens you can find gray Spiraea up to 2.5 m high;
The roots grow long and fibrous.

Who should the beautiful “bride” sit next to?

Spiraea is a good neighbor, but it is better not to plant other plants close to the bush, because the bush and its branches that grow every year will obscure other plants. The best distance for planting other flowers and bushes is 1 m or more from it. Next to Spiraea sulfur, you can plant the Spiraea japonica variety - they will create a good gray composition - it will fade, creating a green background, and will immediately begin to bloom - Japanese. In the company of spring flowers - tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, mahonia, bobwhite, forsythia, viburnum buldenezh, lilac.

Near the Spiraea and under its branches, the wheatgrass must be completely removed, otherwise it will clog the roots and interfere with the growth of the plant.

How to choose the right seedling? Reproduction of Spiraea sulfur

The plant is not whimsical and tolerates planting and replanting well in spring and autumn.

The choice of seedling must be approached with great care and responsibility; the flowering and survival of the plant will depend on this.

Rules for choosing seedlings:

The seedling should be small, without long branches and bulky bushes;
No damage, stains, rot (on branches and roots);
If the root is together with a lump of earth, then check that it is moist and packed in polyethylene or burlap;
If the roots are without an earthen lump, then they should be alive, not dry, not break when touched, but be flexible and elastic;
If the plant is sold in a pot or other container, then pay attention to the roots, which should not stick out from the drainage holes at the bottom of the container;
There should be no blossoming leaves on it, but buds (alive, not dried out), then Spiraea will take root well in a new place.

Having chosen a seedling, you should not delay planting it in open ground; if the root is bare, then you need to plant it on the same day. Or sprinkle with soil and water (wrap in wet rag soaked with a root formation stimulator). When the root is with an earthen ball or in a pot, then planting should be done within 2-3 days, field of purchase.

Reproduction of Spiraea Sulfur is carried out in 3 ways. In addition to propagation by seeds, it belongs to a hybrid species. If seeds are formed, their germination rate is less than 5%.

By dividing the roots, dig up a bush and separate young branches with roots from it using sharp pruners or a knife;
Planting by cuttings. In the spring, cut off lignified branches, cut off the top, cut the rest of the cutting into 2-3 pieces of 7-10 cm each. Prepare a root formation stimulator, in which you lower the cuttings for 2-3 hours and plant them in pots or open ground. Water with the same stimulant and cover the cuttings with jars or glass. Within 2 months, the sprouts will take root; in the fall they can be transplanted to another place and covered well so that strong blizzards and frosts do not destroy the plant;
Branches that are bent to the ground in the spring (after flowering) and sprinkled with soil with a root formation stimulator on top. Once the branches take root, they are cut off from the main branch and transplanted to a new location.

Having chosen a method of reproduction, it is worthwhile to take care of good conditions and a place in which the plant will grow well.

Cuttings can be made in the fall, but then they are planted in large pots and brought into a room or greenhouse for the winter. And next autumn they are planted in open ground.

Planting and caring for Spiraea Sera

Any variety of Spiraea needs a sunny area, possibly with a little partial shade throughout the day. Grows well in any soil, but does not like wetlands and dry soil.

Planting is carried out in spring and autumn, it is better to plant the plant according to the biological schedule - in the fall, then the plant will quickly take root and bloom faster.

Dig a hole, which is treated with a weak solution of manganese or fungicide a day before planting, for disinfection;
Mix the excavated soil with bio-fertilizers (manure, mulch, peat, sawdust, ash);
The hole should be 1.5-2 times larger than the volume of the seedling roots;
Place a drainage layer of expanded clay and sand at the bottom of the hole, sprinkle 1-2 cm with soil mixture;
Plant Spiraea Gray in the prepared hole and sprinkle with soil mixture, water with warm water. Plant in cloudy weather or in the evening.

After planting the plant, after 1-2 weeks, add more soil and apply fertilizer for growth.

Shrub care should consist of several stages:

Watering;
Fertilizer;
Pruning and shaping the bush;
Loosening the soil and removing weeds;
Preparing bushes for winter.

Spirea does not tolerate dry, hot weather, so in summer, in hot weather, in the evening it needs intensive watering. In autumn and spring, it only needs the moisture that is in the soil and from rain.

Fertilizer is very important for intensive growth and abundant flowering; it is applied 3-4 times during the spring-autumn season.

During bud break, nitrogen fertilizer is applied, as well as calcium and boron;
During flowering, fertilizer contains phosphorus and potassium;
After all the flowers have bloomed, apply fertilizers containing sulfur, magnesium, copper, iron;
In the autumn, before the first frost, phosphorus-potassium fertilizer with nitrogen is applied for successful wintering.

Pruning and shaping the bush is done in the fall. If the plant is affected by a disease or pests, then it is cut off completely, leaving branches 10-15 cm from the ground. The bushes are renewed by removing woody branches 7-10 years old that bloom poorly or have dried out. To form a bush, cut off a third of the branches that have grown during the season.

Loosening the soil and removing weeds is carried out as needed, especially in dry, hot weather and before applying fertilizer.

Preparation for winter is mainly carried out for plants 1-5 years of age, covering them with spruce branches, dry grass or peat after the first frost. In frosty weather without snow, adult plants are tied up and covered with polyethylene or cloth.

Spiraea Gray has beneficial medicinal properties and is used in folk medicine.

Spiraea Gray is a wonderful decoration for a garden plot for a long time. In rockeries, together with juniper and cypress trees, it will create an incredible composition.

The genus Spiraea includes 90 species, distributed in the forest-steppe and semi-desert zones, the subalpine zone of the mountains of the Northern Hemisphere.

Description of spirea

Spiraea - deciduous shrubs, sometimes exceeding 2 m in height. The shape of the bush is different, there are: weeping, pyramidal, erect, hemispherical, cascading, creeping forms. Types of spirea differ among themselves in the shape and color of the leaves; many types of spirea change their green color to yellow, orange or purple-red in the fall.

Most of the most various types with skillful selection, it allows them to achieve continuous flowering from spring to autumn. Spiraea is valued for its lush and long-lasting flowering.

Spiraea flowers small, but numerous, collected in inflorescences of different shapes: corymbose, pyramidal, paniculate and spicate. Some species of spirea have single flowers.

The color of the flowers is also varied - from white to crimson. The decorative nature of spirea is determined not only by the varied arrangement of inflorescences on the shoots, but also by the timing of flowering.

There are species whose inflorescences cover the entire shoot; in other types of spirea, the inflorescences are located only on the upper part of the shoots; in some others - at the ends of the shoots.

Spiraea are divided into 2 groups: spring-flowering spirea and summer-flowering. In spring bloomers, flowering usually occurs on the shoots of the previous year and the flowers are white; summer-flowering ones have red, pink, crimson flowers, and they bloom on the shoots of the current year.

This division into two groups is also reflected in the agricultural technology for caring for these shrubs; Spring-blooming spirea is pruned immediately after flowering, and summer-blooming spirea is pruned only in spring.

Spiraea of the first group bloom all together, but not for long; in the second group the flowering is extended.

All spirea are undemanding to soil, frost-resistant, light-loving, many species are gas-resistant, and tolerate urban conditions well. Easily propagated by cuttings, layering, dividing the bush, seeds and shoots. They grow very quickly and begin to bloom in the 3rd year.

Types and varieties of spirea

Group of spring flowering spireas

Spiraea gray

Gray spirea is a highly branched bush 2 m high, with felt ribbed shoots. The leaves of the gray spirea are gray-green above, lighter below, and pointed at both ends. The snow-white flowers of gray spirea are collected in loose shields and located throughout the shoot. At the top of the shoots the inflorescences are sessile, below they are on elongating leafy branches. This spirea blooms in May, and the fruits ripen in June.

Gray spirea does not reproduce by seeds, because this species is a hybrid. The gray spirea bush is very decorative due to the compactness of the bush, drooping branches, and a large number of snow-white inflorescences. This spirea is planted either as a single bush or in groups. Flowering shoots of spirea sulfur can be used to make bouquets.

Very interesting variety "Grefsheim"- a small densely branched shrub with arched drooping branches and narrow leaves. Snow-white, fairly large double flowers, collected in dense bunches, are located along the shoots.

Gray spirea is considered winter-hardy.

Spiraea arguta

A tall bush (2 m) with a spreading crown, with narrow, strongly jagged, lanceolate, dark green leaves about 4 cm long. The flowers of Spiraea arguta are pure white, 0.8 cm in diameter, in numerous, umbrella-shaped inflorescences, densely covering the shoots. Spiraea arguta blooms on last year's shoots; it should be pruned immediately after flowering. Grows slowly, 20 cm per year.

It is one of the most spectacular spring-flowering spireas. Thanks to the abundance of flowers and the grace of arching thin branches, it makes an indelible impression both up close and at a distance. Stable in city conditions.

Thin spreading branches of Argut spirea with small narrow green leaves and white flowers in umbrella inflorescences that tightly cover the shoots create a feeling of purity.

Spiraea arguta is beautiful in a single planting, in compositions with shrubs, and can also be used for hedges. Blooms annually. Photophilous. This spirea can tolerate slightly dry soil. The seeds are not germinating because it is a hybrid.

Spiraea Wangutta

Spiraea Vangutta is stunning with its large size. The height and diameter of its crown reach up to 2 m. It differs from representatives of this genus in its spreading, curving branches, forming a very beautiful “cascade” shape of the crown. Its leaves are 3.5 cm long, toothed, 5-lobed, obovate, green above, dull-gray below, glabrous.

Spiraea Wangutta flowers in dense, multiple, hemispherical inflorescences, pure white, densely covering the entire shoot. Flowering lasts several weeks. Spiraea Wangutta sometimes has a secondary flowering in August, however, it is no longer so abundant. Spiraea Vangutta is also beautiful for its foliage. Its fruits ripen by October. Blossoming begins at 3 years of age.

Spiraea Wangutta grows quickly, is shade-tolerant, and unpretentious. But it prefers sunny places and well-drained soils. Frost-resistant, sometimes the ends of the shoots freeze, which need to be cut off in the spring.

Spiraea Vangutta is effective in single plantings, in groups, low hedges, and when creating large flower beds. It fits perfectly into the landscape with pines, spruces, fir trees, especially on the banks of ponds and streams. It takes cuttings well.

Spiraea crenate

Grows in southeast Russia and Western Europe, in the Caucasus, Altai, north Central Asia. It grows in the zone of meadow and shrub steppes, and is observed on rocky mountain slopes in thickets of bushes. Protected in nature reserves.

Spiraea crenate is a low shrub, about 1 m, with a loose crown, oblong or obovate, 3.5 cm in length, grayish-green leaves. It is very easy to identify crenate spirea by the crenate edge of the leaf and the presence of three veins protruding from the bottom.

The flowers of this spirea are white with a yellow tint, collected in wide corymbose inflorescences, sitting on short, leafy branches. Flowering duration is about 20 days. Spiraea crenate bears fruit in July.

It is drought- and frost-resistant, produces abundant root growth, can tolerate insufficient soil moisture, grows in partial shade, but develops better in good light.

In gardening, Crenate spirea is not often found. Used in parks, groups, edges and forest parks. Has hybrid forms.

Spiraea oakleaf

Spiraea oakleaf grows from Eastern Europe to the Far East. Grows on rocky slopes and mountain forests.

An erect bush 2 m tall, with long shoots, under the weight of their inflorescences they gracefully bend towards the ground, with a beautiful, dense crown, rounded in shape.

The leaves are finely petiolate, oblong-ovate, 5 cm long, pointed, coarsely toothed twice along the edge, green above, bluish below. White flowers 1.5 cm in diameter in hemispherical inflorescences; Spiraea oakleaf blooms in early May for about 25 days.

Gas and frost resistant. Tolerates slight shade. In autumn the foliage turns smooth, yellow. Spiraea oakleaf propagates by seeds, cuttings, and dividing the bush.

Excellent for cutting, it is used for hedges. This spirea is prized for its lush blooms and graceful foliage.

Spiraea nipponensis

This spirea comes from Japan, where it grows on the island of Hondo.

Shrub 2 m tall, with a spherical crown, branches directed horizontally; on top crenate, sometimes entirely outermost, green leaves 5 cm long, retaining green color until late autumn.

It begins to bloom in early June, lasting 15-25 days. The buds of Spiraea nipponensis are purple, the flowers are yellowish-green, in corymbose inflorescences, very densely covering the shoots.

It is characterized by abundant flowering and a compact crown structure. Effective in single plantings. Photophilous. It is not demanding on soil richness. Nippon spirea propagates by seeds, cuttings, and also by dividing the bush.

It has 2 decorative forms: round-leaved - in addition to the shape of the foliage, it is distinguished by the powerful size of the bush and large inflorescences; angustifolia - with narrow leaves and small, numerous flowers. In the European part, 2 varieties are popular.

Nipponian spirea "Halward's Silver" - a bush whose height is 1 m, dark green foliage. The flowers of Nipponian spirea "Halward's Silver" are white in large convex inflorescences, bloom in June.

Spiraea Nippon "Snowmound" is a bush 2 m high. The crown is dense, the branches are gracefully curved. The leaves of Spiraea Nippon "Snowound" are dark green and elongated. The flowers are snow-white, collected in corymbose inflorescences, open in June.

Spiraea average

It grows naturally in Russia, southern Siberia, Central Asia and the Far East. Grows in thickets of bushes, on dry slopes.

Medium spirea is a branched shrub with a rounded crown and bright green leaves. The shoots of middle spirea are round, brownish with flaky bark. The flowers are snow-white, in corymbose inflorescences. It begins to bloom in May for about 15 days. It begins to bear fruit at the age of 3.

Frost-resistant, tolerates shade. Spiraea average propagates easily thanks to its abundant root shoots. It tolerates replanting and pruning well, and is used in single and group plantings.

Spiraea thunberg

IN natural conditions grows in China, Korea, Japan. Its favorite places are mountain slopes and valleys, which during the flowering period look covered with a continuous snow cover.

Spiraea Thunberg is a low bush, in nature reaching a height of 1.5 m. In cultivation in the middle zone it does not reach such dimensions, but it branches densely. Its dense leaves are 4 cm long.

Thanks to these graceful leaves, Thunberga spirea is very decorative, especially considering that in autumn they acquire an orange color.

In summer they are bright green. The inflorescences of Spiraea Thunberg are sessile umbrellas at the base with a rosette of small leaves; they consist of small white flowers that appear in May. Flowering ends in June.

The fruits of this spirea ripen quickly. Thunberg's spirea begins to bloom and bear fruit at the age of 3.

This shrub propagates by seeds and cuttings. In cold winters the shoots freeze a little. Spiraea Thunberga is a profusely flowering shrub that blooms first. Prefers sunny places.

Group of summer-blooming spireas

In summer-blooming spireas, the inflorescences are completed by young shoots of the current year. The following year, spirea inflorescences reappear at the ends of young shoots, and the old tops dry out.

Spiraea japonica

Distributed in Japan and China.

Japanese spirea is a beautiful bush with tomentose-pubescent shoots, then bare; oblong-ovate leaves, green above, bluish below, with a red tint when blooming, in autumn - spectacularly varied colors. It blooms all summer with pink-red flowers collected in corymbose-paniculate inflorescences.

Flowering duration is 45 days. It is widely used to create flowering groups and hedges. as well as borders.

In the spring season, all varieties of Japanese spirea need to be pruned, leaving shoots 25 cm high from the soil level. Golden-leaved forms of Japanese spirea are predisposed to the appearance of shoots with green leaves.

They stand out against the background of yellow spireas not only by their color, but also by their powerful growth. All of them should be deleted.

Japanese spirea has many garden forms, differing in bush height, flower color and leaf blade size. The most common spirea:

Japanese « Little Princesses"("Little Princess") - bush 0.6 m tall, rounded, compact crown, dark green, elliptical leaves, pink flowers, collected in corymbose inflorescences.

Japanese spirea "Little Princess" begins to bloom in June-July. It grows very slowly. Looks good in single plantings, edges, groups, hedges.

Spiraea japonica "Shirobana"- is a low shrub 0.8 m tall. The leaves are dark green, narrow-lanceolate, 2 cm long. The color of the flowers of the Japanese spirea "Shirobana" varies from white to bright pink, sometimes red.

Blooms in July - August. Japanese spirea "Shirobana" can successfully decorate a rock garden and low border, various compositions with conifers and other shrubs.

« Macrophylla» ( "Macrophylla") - 1.3 m high. It is distinguished by large, 20 cm long and 10 cm wide, swollen wrinkled leaves, when they bloom they are purple-red, then green, and in the fall they become golden-yellow.

If, when the buds open, you cut the Macrophyll spirea to 7 cm from the soil level, then the growing young shoots at the top will have a bright color all summer long. Spiraea "Macrophylla" is one of the best spireas. Among the variegated foliage, its pink flowers in small inflorescences are lost. Spiraea "Macrophylla" blooms from the end of July to the end of August.

Spiraea "Candlelight"- a dwarf compact dense bush with creamy yellow leaves. Their color becomes rich and goes well with pink flowers appearing in mid-summer.

Spiraea “Candlelight” does not produce shoots with the usual green leaf color.

Spiraea "Goldflame"- a dense shrub 1 m tall, with orange-yellow leaves. Then they turn bright yellow, then yellow-green.

Spiraea "Goldflame" has orange leaves in autumn. Sometimes variegated leaves appear on the bush. Spiraea "Goldflame" flowers are small pink-red.

Spiraea "Golden Princess"- shrub 1 m in height, with yellow leaves and pink flowers.

Spiraea "Gold Mound"- dwarf, 0.25 m tall, bush with bright golden-yellow foliage and small inflorescences of pink flowers, appearing in mid-July.

Spiraea white

Under natural conditions, white spirea is common in North America. In Russia it is often found in the Asian and European parts.

A bush with ribbed, pubescent red-brown shoots and pointed serrated leaves at the ends, reaching 7 cm in length and 2 cm in width. White flowers are collected in pyramidal, loose, pubescent panicle inflorescences about 6-15 cm long with almost horizontally deviating branches, appearing at the ends of the current year's shoots.

White spirea blooms annually, from July to August. Its fruits ripen in October.

Spiraea reproduces white seeded and cuttings. Thanks to its beautiful inflorescences, late and long flowering, white spirea is used for planting in groups, single bushes, and in hedges. Quite a moisture-loving shrub.

Spiraea birch leaf

Under natural conditions, birch leaf spirea grows in the Far East, Siberia, Korea and Japan. It grows in mixed and coniferous forests, on the rocky slopes of the mountains.

Birch leaf spirea got its name due to the similarity of its leaves with the leaves of our beloved birch. Indeed, the leaves of birch-leaf spirea are elliptical or broadly ovate with a wedge-shaped base, green.

Birch-leaf spirea is a low (60 cm) shrub with a dense spherical crown and ribbed, sometimes zigzag-curved shoots. In spring, leaves appear in mid-April and fall at the end of October.

In autumn, the leaves of birch-leaved spirea become bright yellow. Flowering occurs in June. Its inflorescences are dense, corymbose, sometimes convex panicles of a large number of white or slightly pinkish flowers. Blooms from 4 years old. Its fruits ripen only in October.

Spiraea birch leaf is shade-tolerant, but blooms more profusely in sunny places, on moist soils. It is completely winter-hardy and does not require shelter. Pruning of shoots should be done in early spring. Shorten the shoots to a well-developed bud. Birch-leaved spirea propagates by sowing unstratified seeds in spring.

Birch leaf spirea is planted mixed or pure with other types of spirea. It is suitable for creating edges of tall groups of trees and shrubs, and for rockeries.

Spiraea Billarda

Billard's spirea is a hybrid between the willow spirea and the Douglas spirea. This species is found from Arkhangelsk to Central Asia and the Caucasus in the south.

Spiraea Billarda grows as a shrub with spreading branches, 2 m in height. The broadly lanceolate leaves, 10 cm long from the base, are acutely or double-serrate, and are grayish-tomentose underneath.

The bright pink flowers of Billard's spirea are collected in dense pyramidal, narrow, paniculate inflorescences, sometimes highly branched, tomentose. Billard's spirea blooms at the end of July until frost. The fruits do not set.

Billard's spirea is frost-resistant. Easily propagated by cuttings. Shade-tolerant, but achieves best flowering in sunny places. Billard's spirea is used for hedges of medium height; it is also planted in groups and single bushes.

In order to get a more powerful bush, pruning the shoots is recommended in early spring. Early pruning of Billard's spirea stimulates the appearance of young shoots that bloom in the same year.

Spiraea Billard "Triumphans" ("Triumphans") is a tall bush, reaches 2.5 m. Spiraea Billard "Triumphans" has purple-pink spike-shaped inflorescences 20 cm in height crowned by its shoots with oblong-lanceolate leaves. Its young shoots are first green, then reddish-brown, pubescent, and the old ones are ribbed, bare.

The shoots of this spirea are short-lived and gradually dry out. It is better not to prune Billard's spirea until it is 4 years old. During this period, it gains strength and grows with the help of its root offspring. By the age of 6, the bush loses its shape, and pruning is simply necessary, it allows you to restore its decorative appearance.

Spiraea Boumalda

Spiraea Boumalda is a hybrid between Spiraea white-flowered and Spiraea japonica.

A low bush, 75 cm tall, with erect branches and a spherical crown. Spiraea Bumald's shoots are bare and slightly ribbed. Leaves are 8 cm long, glabrous, ovate-lanceolate, sharply biserrate. The color of the flowers of this spirea varies from soft pink to dark pink.

It blooms almost all summer, about 50 days. Spiraea Bumalda is a very beautiful hybrid with highly variable characteristics, sometimes even difficult to distinguish from Japanese spirea, as a rule, lower than it and with ribbed shoots.

At three years old, spirea Bumalda begins to bloom and bear fruit. The fruits ripen in October.

"Anthony Waterer"(“Anthony Waterer”) is a bush with narrow leaves and bright red flowers. Flowering, spirea Boumald "Antoni Waterer" lasts 100 days, coincides with the flowering of hydrangea paniculata, very spectacular groups are obtained when they are planted together.

"Darts Ed"- 0.5 m high. Spiraea "Darts Red" grows straight up. Its leaves are lanceolate, when blooming they are pinkish, then dark green, and in autumn they are red.

It begins to bloom in July and ends in September with ruby-red or crimson flowers, in corymbose inflorescences. Spiraea "Darts Red" is decorative from spring until autumn.

The following forms are also known:

"Froebel"(Froebelii) - a shrub with purple leaves in autumn and spring, carnation-pink flowers in large inflorescences about 12 cm in diameter, the flowering of the Froebel spirea lasts 50 days. The bright inflorescences look beautiful not only in the garden, but also in a bouquet.

It is distinguished by its large size and compact structure.

"Curly" ("Crispa") - low shrub, 0.5 m. The shoots are brown, striped, pubescent. The leaves are wine-red when blooming, then green, with a wavy-curling edge. The flowers of the spirea "Crispa" are purple in corymbose panicles.

It begins to bloom from the end of July until August. Spiraea "Crispa" is suitable for a romantic garden.

Spiraea douglas

Grows in North America.

This spirea is an upright growing shrub, with red-brown, straight, pubescent shoots. The leaves of Douglas spirea are oblong-lanceolate, gray-tomentose below, entire to the middle, unequally toothed at the top.

The flowers of this spirea are pink, in dense narrow pyramidal, paniculate, apical inflorescences. Duration of flowering of Douglas spirea is 45 days.

Blooms in July. Its fruits begin to ripen in September. Douglas spirea begins to bloom at the age of 3. It propagates by seeds and cuttings.

With its bright pink flowers and silvery foliage, Douglas spirea is particularly valuable for green building. Very effective in groups and along park roads.

Spiraea looseleaf

It grows naturally in Siberia, Europe, North America, Japan and China. It grows in thickets of bushes near lakes, along river floodplains, and in sedge swamps.

Spiraea willow - an upright shrub about 2 m tall, with reddish-yellow shoots; elongated-lanceolate, pointed leaves, sharp-serrate from the base, ciliated or bare along the edge, they are dark green above, lighter below.

White or pink flowers on short yellow-pubescent peduncles are collected in pyramidal or cylindrical panicles 20 cm long.

Spiraea willow is frost-resistant and develops better in fresh, moist soils. Propagated by seeds and cuttings. It begins to bloom at the age of 4.

author Bashirova R., photo Shmytova I.

St. Petersburg archaeologist Alexander Semenov, whom we accidentally met on the train, asked my daughter and me questions: “What do you think is connected with the ancient cult of meadowsweet among the Turkic-speaking peoples? What does the word “meadowsweet” mean (in Turkic sources “tabulgu”, “tybylga”, “tubulga”)? Why did Altaians, Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Tuvans and other peoples insert a meadowsweet rod into the hand of the deceased? Why did meadowsweet act as an intermediary facilitating the transition from one world to another? Why is it customary among the southern pagan Chuvash to put a stick of meadowsweet (tupolha) into the right hand of the deceased, under the sleeve, while saying: “Here’s a meadowsweet stick for you to walk comfortably!”
I was not ready to answer these questions then.

Meadowsweet - an iconic plant

Meadowsweet was known to our ancestors already during the period of the composition of the epic “Sadko”, i.e. before the annexation of Novgorod to the Moscow Principality. The heroes of this epic cast “Tavolzhans’ lots” to find out who to sacrifice to the sea king...

As it turned out, meadowsweet is also a cult plant among Finno-Ugric tribes. During the performance of pagan rituals, the Udmurt shaman held in his right hand a whip with a handle made of meadowsweet, which instills fear in enemies. The whip, a whip, without which the ritual of choosing an Udmurt priest was not complete, was perceived as a talisman against the machinations of the devil.

The Nogais also used meadowsweet. This is how the Kazakh historian and ethnographer of the 19th century Chokan Valikhanov described the Nogai whip: “For the handle of the whip, they mostly used irgai (honeysuckle) or red meadowsweet, the latter was preferred.” According to the Kazakhs, Kamcha soaked in horse sweat scared away demons and all evil spirits, and therefore Kamcha was hung at the head of young women.

The handle of the kamcha was also made by the Bashkirs and Kalmyks from branches of meadowsweet (St. John's wort and crenate), and they used it to tell fortunes.
Baraba and Tomsk Tatar shamans also used this plant in rituals.

The Kalmyks also had a cult of meadowsweet. Therefore, the inclusion of the plant in the subject code of the Kalmyk summer holiday Uryus is understandable. Meadowsweet was considered a talisman. The handles of whips and whips were made from meadowsweet. Meadowsweet sticks were placed in the bed.

Meadowsweet was also used in pagan rites by the ancient Celtic priests - the Druids. Interesting: they believed that eating meadowsweet prevented the appearance of a big belly.

Is it possible to describe the origins of our ancestors’ love for this iconic plant in the language of modern science? Currently, I have formed my own point of view on the cult of meadowsweet - biological.

Meadowsweet in the life of humans and animals

Meadowsweet is the name of plants of the Rosaceae family, classified in the genus Spiraea. There are 90 species of meadowsweet, including many forms, herbaceous and shrubby. The shape of the leaves of the meadowsweet is extremely diverse, which is reflected in the species names: meadowsweet, willow-leaved, birch-leaved, etc.

Many types of meadowsweet grow along the banks of rivers and various reservoirs. And having found meadowsweet or meadowsweet, you can safely dig a well - water will be nearby. Therefore, for the tired and thirsty riders, tired from the long journey, the meadowsweet served as a signal of an imminent halt and long-awaited rest. Could the name of this plant sound like a transformed ancient Turkic “tab yul” (find “source, stream, river”)?
Finally, in Turkic languages the river is the road. Large rivers have always been the main route. The origin of the name of the Tobol River is associated with the word meadowsweet. V.N. Tatishchev compared it with the Kazakh word “tobylgy” and the Tatar “tubylgy”. Then one can understand why the deceased were given last way meadowsweet stick.

By the way, the scientific name of meadowsweet can be considered as a derivative of the Greek word “speira” (“bend caused by a gust of wind”), later transformed into the Latin “spiritus” (“spirit, blow”).

Our ancestors referred to meadowsweet great amount species with different morphological characteristics: both herbaceous perennials and shrubs unlike them. More recently, scientists separated the genus Meadowsweet from the genus Spiraea.
What could make plants sometimes dissimilar to a European view be called by the same name? Most likely, a specific aroma and taste. Inhale the crushed meadowsweet branches and you will feel a unique, healing aroma! For nomads, these signs, which constitute the soul of plants, were more important than external signs.
Or maybe the horse was the main taster and taxonomist in this matter?

It is known that animals with an extremely pronounced sense of smell are the best analysts. Moreover, a very subtle sense of smell allows the horse to detect odors that are inaccessible to humans. Thus, horses recognize their harness and saddle by smell; the mother recognizes the foal and vice versa. The stallion determines by smell the condition of the mares in the herd, the boundaries of his or others' possessions. At a distance of up to 1.5 m, horses distinguish between edible and inedible herbs.

Horses love meadowsweet. In Mongolia, meadowsweet is still included in the range of plants for treating animals. Steamed meadowsweet grass is applied to the inflamed hooves of horses. Animals can get meadowsweet shoots even from under the snow. Plants from poisoned areas quickly regenerate, i.e. pastures with meadowsweet are quite durable. The Greek name for the herbaceous form of meadowsweet is consonant with this - filipendula(Filipendula ulmaria, synonym Spiraea ulmaria), combining two Greek words: “philos” - “love” and “ippos” - “horse”.
I think that the nomads evaluated many plants in relation to their horses. The exhausted riders, who let go of the reins, were led by sensitive animals to the thickets of meadowsweet.

In the fescue-wormwood steppes, meadowsweet met with juniper. Naturally, meadowsweet was the most desirable food for horses and camels. Is this why in Kyrgyzstan they found meadowsweet at the head of the dead along with wormwood and juniper...

At a halt, weary travelers brewed healing herbal tea from fragrant meadowsweet flowers; the leaves, stems and seeds of the plant were also used as tea leaves. The leaves of birch and willow meadowsweet are not only a tasty brew for tea, but also a strong antibacterial agent. Meadowsweet tea healed and gave a surge of strength.

Some types of meadowsweet (for example, crenate spirea) grow on arid rocky slopes and sunny rocky outcrops. Neither enemy nor animal can pass through this bush. But this plant is also of high value: wounds, snake bites and rabid animals were treated with a decoction of branches and leaves of spirea crenate.

spirea crenate

Since ancient times, it was believed that the oil obtained by burning meadowsweet branches heals wounds, eliminating pus. Modern scientific research has confirmed that decoctions of leaves of seven types of meadowsweet exhibit antibacterial activity against pathogens of purulent infection.

Horsemeat and lamb were smoked on the smoking stems of meadowsweet (tobylgy). The aroma of burning meadowsweet gave a unique taste to the meat.
Using the smoke from meadowsweet, they also smoked sabu - a pyramidal bag for kumis with a rectangular bottom and a long neck, made from the skin of a well-fed horse. Smoking saba, according to Kazakhs, improves the taste of kumiss and gives the drink a special aroma.
By the way, I can confirm: the impressions of kumiss, made according to an old recipe in smoked subs, are absolutely extraordinary!

The Kirghiz made cases for storing and transporting earthenware bowls from thin meadowsweet rods.

According to professor-Turkologist N.Kh. Ishbulatov, the size of meadowsweet reserves, its accumulations - “tublau”, “tuplau” - served as a guarantee of a calm winter. Perhaps this can explain the appearance of the word “tubulga”. During the summer stay, it was necessary to prepare supplies of dried food for themselves and their horses. Indeed, in the modern Kyrgyz language, “tabylga” means something that is acquired (received as a gift, earned, mined, etc.), and “tabylgy” means meadowsweet, spirea (a shrub with very strong wood).

The aerial part of meadowsweet was and is used in Tibetan and Mongolian medicine for diseases of the lungs and digestive organs. In folk medicine, a decoction of the aerial part of meadowsweet is used as a choleretic agent for bronchial asthma, respiratory diseases, and to strengthen and grow hair.

Shrub forms of meadowsweet are characterized by a high content of catechins, substances that have vascular strengthening and anti-inflammatory effects.

When talking about Kamcha handles, people pay attention first of all to their red color. It is difficult for a person far from chemistry to understand why a branch of meadowsweet or willow, when peeled from bark, turns red before his eyes. The tannins of meadowsweet, undergoing oxidation, turn into substances with a bloody color - phlobaphenes. The red handle of the kamcha could also give rise to the creation of legends.

Another reason for creating a mystical halo around the red meadowsweet could be the slower abrasion of the strap at the point of contact with the wood, since phlobaphenes, which have antiseptic properties, increase the strength of the skin.

It should be taken into account that previously people lived by different standards and did not spare themselves the way we do. A rider exhausted after long physical exertion responded more sensitively to tonic plants than a well-fed and rested one. modern man. In addition, sweat containing ammonia is the best extractant of phenol carbonic acids, which are easily absorbed through the skin. Under the influence of sweat, the high-molecular substances contained in the handle of the meadowsweet kamcha broke down into simpler molecules and entered the blood. Therefore, at moments of greatest physical stress, the handle of the kamcha became a kind of regulator of the rider’s condition. Maybe this is the answer to the question of why spirea was used to make handles. It is possible that the rider’s overworked and wounded hands felt the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of the substances contained in meadowsweet. This idea is suggested by the information that spirea extract is included in cosmetic creams that regenerate the skin.

In 1652, Nicholas Culpeper noted the medicinal properties of meadowsweet.

Raisa Bashirova
Gardenia.ru Floriculture: Pleasure and Benefit

meadowsweet

The use of meadowsweet in medicine

author Bashirova R., photo Polikarpov N.

It is no coincidence that meadowsweet in Russia is called “forty-sweller” - it is believed that this medicinal plant helps against forty ailments.
Perhaps, since ancient times, not so much exact knowledge as intuitive feeling healing qualities and the great benefits of meadowsweet for humans and animals was the reason for such a respectful attitude of our ancestors towards this amazing plant...

Meadowsweet - “natural aspirin”

In 1828, the Munich pharmacist Johann Büchner isolated the anti-inflammatory substance salicin from willow bark, which was hydrolyzed to produce salicylic acid. In 1838, the Italian chemist R. Piria isolated spireic acid from meadowsweet (Spiraea vinosa), which turned out to be a derivative of salicylic acid. It turned out that there is a lot of salicylic acid in meadowsweet (Spiraea salicifolia). And then Felix Hofmann, an employee of the German company Bayer, developed a technology for the organic synthesis of acetylsalicylic acid, which received the commercial name “aspirin”. This name is made up of two parts: “a” - from acetyl and “spira” - from spirea (Spiraea). So in 1899, a new medicine entered the market with the registered trademark Aspirin (R). Thanks to German doctors Kurt Witthaur and Julius Wolgemuth, who showed its effectiveness in treating strokes, aspirin has become one of the most common medications.

Aspirin and its derivatives are now included in more than 400 over-the-counter medications used to treat headaches and arthritis. For example, in the USA up to 20 tons of aspirin are consumed annually. Universal medicinal qualities And wide use in medicine, they give reason to call aspirin one of the most popular modern medicines.

A drug with more than a century-old reputation as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic is widely used for fever, headaches, neuralgia and rheumatism. Clinical researches showed that daily intake of small doses of aspirin prevents insufficient blood supply to the heart and reduces the risk of stroke. Aspirin is used for thrombophlebitis, prevents blood clotting and the formation of postoperative blood clots, and relieves angina attacks in coronary heart disease.

Aspirin blocks the production of prostaglandins - hormone-like substances involved in inflammation, platelet aggregation, and increased permeability blood vessels and contribute to an increase in body temperature. In addition, aspirin suppresses pain sensitivity.
It is believed that regularly taking aspirin can reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems and reduce the likelihood of a heart attack. The anti-inflammatory effect of aspirin is caused by a decrease in the permeability of capillary vessels, and the antipyretic effect is caused by the effect on the thermoregulation centers of the body.

It also turns out that painkillers (such as aspirin) may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, or dementia. Aspirin inhibits the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain, leading to the development of senile dementia.
Aspirin may slow vision loss in diabetes.

Doctors believe that taking aspirin in small doses has a beneficial effect on pregnancy. British doctors have found that women who took small doses of aspirin during pregnancy are less likely to give birth to stillbirths and have fewer miscarriages.

But pure aspirin, when interacting with water, can worsen the condition of those suffering from stomach ulcers and duodenum and even provoke gastrointestinal bleeding.
In meadowsweet, aspirin is in a glycosylated form (I deliberately use this difficult-to-understand term for people far from medicine and biology to emphasize: “natural aspirin” does not cause such complications as a molecule of a pure substance). Slowly breaking down in the intestines, “meadowsweet aspirin” has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect without complications. Moreover, meadowsweet extracts reduce the formation of experimental erosions and ulcers in the stomach.

Modern research into the medicinal properties of meadowsweet

Meadowsweet continues to interest pharmacologists. Recently, diterpene alkaloids, called spiramins and spiratins, have been isolated from the seeds and roots of meadowsweet. Their action is similar to camphor and caffeine, but their use does not cause an increase in blood pressure. Scientists believe that spiramins protect brain cells from oxygen starvation.
But not a single component of meadowsweet can compare in total activity with the whole plant.

From Japanese species of meadowsweet, scientists have isolated substances that prevent the formation of blood clots.

Modern research has proven that it was not in vain that our ancestors used meadowsweet as a tonic herbal tea, an effective healing drink that relieves fatigue!
By the way, Canadian Indians also used a decoction of meadowsweet as a tonic drink, calling this plant “muskrat bush.” They also used meadowsweet as an anti-inflammatory and diuretic.

Meadowsweet in medicine

In modern scientific medicine in Russia, only one type of meadowsweet is used - meadowsweet, or filipendula vasolifolia(Filipendula ulmaria). Meadowsweet flowers are approved by the Ministry of Health (decision of December 14, 1984) for clinical use for the treatment of inflammatory and destructive diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. In Germany, this remedy is used under the name "flos Spiraeae" as an anti-inflammatory and diuretic.

The underground part of the meadowsweet is used in homeopathy for gout, rheumatism, and skin diseases. In Western European countries, it is used as a tonic, diuretic and antihemorrhoid.
The underground and aboveground parts of meadowsweet are used as a decoction for dysentery and malignant tumors. This decoction exhibits antiulcer activity and has calming properties. And the tannins in the decoction have a bactericidal effect.

In Russia and Western European countries, the underground and aboveground parts (including flowers) of meadowsweet are used as an antispastic and astringent for gastrointestinal diseases, wound healing, diaphoretic, for epilepsy, rheumatism, gout, kidney and urinary tract diseases, in the form of enemas for leucorrhoea. The underground parts of meadowsweet and flowers are used to prepare decoctions for nervous diseases, hypertension, as an anthelmintic in powder form, for a runny nose. Meadowsweet tincture is effective for trophic ulcers of the lower extremities, wounds, burns; it reduces swelling.

Scientists have found that meadowsweet is a storehouse of antioxidants. They protect the cell membrane from toxic substances, electromagnetic fields, and radioactive radiation. A deficiency of antioxidants leads to premature aging and the development of serious diseases.

Many peoples use meadowsweet flowers as a healing substitute for tea. Medicinal decoctions and infusions are prepared from the aerial parts of the plant and flowers, which are used as a diuretic, as well as for fever and colds.
In Belarus, meadowsweet flower powder is used to treat eczema.

A decoction of meadowsweet flowers has a vascular-strengthening, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antiulcer, stress-protective, hypoglycemic, sedative effect, has a positive effect on the production and implementation of conditioned reflexes, stimulates intestinal function, increases the antitoxic function of the liver, and accelerates the regeneration of the skin and gastric mucosa. The plant has been found to have a beneficial effect on intestinal atony and tachycardia.

Research recent years showed that preparations from meadowsweet flowers have a calming and anticonvulsant effect on the central nervous system, reduce capillary permeability. They treat rheumatism, colds, and arthralgia well. Preparations from the roots of the plant have a similar effect.
Infusions of meadowsweet herb exhibit a pronounced anticoagulant and antidiabetic effect.

Meadowsweet flowers are widely used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, wound-healing, antimicrobial and sedative, for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and urinary tract, upper respiratory tract, rheumatism, epilepsy and other nervous diseases. Meadowsweet tannins inhibit the development of cancer of the esophagus and bladder. A decoction of meadowsweet flowers exhibits antidiabetic activity.

Substances that prevent the formation of blood clots were found in extracts of meadowsweet flowers and seeds (moreover, the activity of the flower extract is more pronounced). Preparations prepared from dried flowers of meadowsweet contain heparin-like substances that have anticoagulant and fibrinolytic properties comparable to heparin complexes of animal origin.

In homeopathy, preparations from meadowsweet are used for washing festering wounds, for enemas for persistent diarrhea, as lotions for ulcers and boils (in this case, it is recommended to mix meadowsweet equally with the meadowsweet). Also, preparations from meadowsweet are used for dropsy, hydrophobia, sore throat and aches. The root is more effective than the herb.

Meadowsweet (mainly the root) contains methyl salicylic essential oil and can replace special medical drug Methyl salicylate, produced by the pharmaceutical industry (in the form of oil, ointment, and also in liquid form under the names: Saliment, Kapsin, Bombenge and Sanitas balm). This drug is widely used in scientific medicine for rubbing muscles and joints affected by rheumatism.

This bush with airy white inflorescences and leaves similar to birch trees is grown by many people in their dachas and personal plots. I also have this plant. Despite the fact that we have gotten used to it over many years, it still looks great as a decoration and is very decorative.

A friend is new to floriculture and asked me to recommend some bush that can be planted near the entrance to the dacha. I advised her to plant Spiraea Birchleaf. I share with you the basic rules for planting and caring for this unpretentious plant.

People also call this plant Meadowsweet, although there is nothing in common between them: spirea belongs to the Rosaceae family and is a shrub, and meadowsweet is a herbaceous plant.

Spiraea is popular not only because of its decorative effect, but also because it blooms throughout the summer, decorating any garden plot. Under natural conditions, the plant can be found in mixed and coniferous forests, near reservoirs and on slopes.

The habitat is considered to be Asia, including Korea and Japan, the Far East and Eastern Siberia.
The shape of the bush resembles a ball, the foliage is thick and lush. The height rarely exceeds one meter, generally ranging from 50 to 60 cm.
The leaves are slightly elongated, elliptical, their length is about 5 cm. The color is dark green. The first leaves appear in April, and turn yellow and fall off in the second half of October.
The shoots have a curved shape and are branched.
The flowers are 9 - 10 mm in diameter, white, sometimes with a pinkish tint. Collected in corymbose racemose inflorescences. The active flowering phase occurs throughout almost the entire summer season.
Flowering occurs only 3 - 4 years after planting, but may be earlier.
The shrub is quite resistant to diseases and pests.

Spiraea birch leaf feels great both in hot weather and in frosty winters. Shelters on winter period is not required, and the planting site must be open, with moist and loamy soil.

Main varieties

You are unlikely to find an abundance of varieties of birch leaf spirea. But there are still several varieties that are planted most often and are very popular in almost all regions.

Thor

A beautiful and lush shrub. Very often it decorates garden and park alleys, attracting attention with its snow-white flowers.

The diameter of the bush (both width and height) is one and a half meters. The shrub is dense and has a wonderful combination of white tassels and dark green foliage.
In autumn, the leaves turn golden-orange. And the more acidity in the soil, the brighter the autumn foliage.
If the spirea of this variety is suitable for a place with plenty of light and the composition of the soil, then it can bloom a second time in the fall. But this flowering is no longer so lush and abundant.
The bush is resistant to frosty winters and also survives dry summers well.

Thor Gold

The variety is planted most often and is popular due to its decorative effect and small size. Suitable for small areas. Looks great as a hedge, as well as on alpine hills and in stone gardens.

The diameter and height of the spirea does not exceed 70 cm. The crown is also distinguished by its splendor and density.
The inflorescences are presented in racemes consisting of snow-white flowers.
In the summer, the foliage is painted in a lush green hue, and in the autumn months the bush of this variety changes its colors several times: from soft yellow to crimson and purple. The shape of the leaf blades resembles birch leaves.
The plant blooms from mid-July to the first half of August.

Iceland

The bush of this variety of birch-leaf spirea is not tall - it does not exceed 80 cm, but it is quite wide, its diameter can reach one meter.

The variety begins to bloom in June and ends in the second half of August.
In summer, the leaves are a rich green color, and in autumn they are painted in bright colors - a reddish - purple tint gives the plant an extraordinary decorative effect.
Spiraea of this variety is absolutely unpretentious either to the location, although illuminated places are preferable, or to the composition of the soil.
It is grown in any place in the garden; some gardeners use it to decorate lawns and to create mixborders and rockeries.

Absolutely all varieties of birch leaf spirea look great in all corners personal plot, including a seating area, and simply as a decoration along garden paths.

Thanks to the density and lushness of the crown, as well as bright colors, spirea will serve perfectly as a hedge, and it always looks advantageous in group plantings. Combines with many garden flowers

Landing rules

Although the plant is considered unpretentious, it is still recommended to choose a well-lit place for it. The bush will grow in shade or partial shade on the north side, but most likely do not expect lush flowering.

Selecting a location

Autumn - good period to plant birch leaf spirea. Experts do not advise it in the spring, since the root system is already well rooted and adapting, and in the summer the bush may even begin to bloom.

The most best time It will be September, when the heat has subsided, but it is still quite warm. The soil should be well moistened, and choose a cloudy day with even light precipitation.
The soil must first be cleared of weeds and thoroughly loosened.
It is recommended to add humus to the soil. Fertile and acidic soil promotes lush flowering.

Planting in open ground

It is best to purchase seedlings in containers with fertilizers. Then the young bush can be transplanted directly with a clod of earth into open ground. This method is convenient because the root system will not be injured.

First you need to dig a planting hole. The size should exceed the diameter of the seedling's root system by about a third. A depth of half a meter will be sufficient.
Depending on how you plan to plant the spirea seedlings, the distance between the holes can range from 40 cm to one and a half meters.
If the soil is very clayey, then a hole should be dug several times larger than the root.
Be sure to place a drainage layer at the bottom of the hole, which will allow air to pass through and not retain excess moisture. It can be made using broken bricks, gravel, sand, peat, as well as turf or leaf soil.
When planting, the roots of the seedling should be carefully straightened, and then covered with earth, compacting it very slightly.
Before planting, the root system must be thoroughly inspected and dry and broken shoots must be removed.

Features of care

Spirea does not require large financial investments and a lot of time. Let's consider the most basic criteria for the plant to subsequently delight with lush flowers.

Watering

This procedure is mandatory for the bush. Although spirea normally tolerates dry periods, a long absence of moisture can lead to drying out of the seedling and even its death.

After planting a young bush in open soil, it is recommended to water the soil. One bush requires about 15 liters of water. It is recommended to mulch the top layer of soil so that the moisture level remains within normal limits. Peat can be used as mulch.
During the summer, you should water the spirea bush every 2 weeks.
During the autumn months, watering is recommended in case of dry and hot weather.
For the winter and until the plant awakens in the spring, watering stops.

Fertilizer and feeding

This process is also required if you want your birch leaf spirea to grow and bloom beautifully. Usually it is enough to feed several times a year.

For the first time after winter, the bush is fertilized immediately after the spring pruning of the crown. It is preferable to re-feed before the flowering period.
Slurry can be used as fertilizer, after diluting it with water (1:6). For better effect add also a small amount of superphosphate.
If the soil on your site is poor, then additional fertilizing should not be neglected. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers, phosphorus and potassium will come in handy.

Trimming

This procedure is quite important for spirea. Therefore it is necessary for beautiful shape bush in the spring, after the plant awakens, cut off all short branches and eliminate the rest until the first large bud.

Such formative pruning will help the shrub not only have a neat and well-groomed appearance, but will also contribute to longer life.

When the spirea is at least 4 years old, it is recommended to carry out anti-aging pruning every year. In this case, the entire crown of the plant is removed and the above-ground part remains, no more than 30 - 40 cm high. If this is not done, the old branches will grow down and gradually dry out.

Complete pruning of the bush to the soil level is done no more than once every 15 - 20 years. By adhering to these simple rules, you will significantly extend the life of the plant, and the lushness and density of the green crown will pleasantly please you throughout the season.

Conclusion

Spiraea birch leaf is a plant that gets along well in almost any place and with any garden plants. The unpretentiousness of the shrub allows it to be planted even in the northern regions.
Landing won't take long. It is very important to make a drainage layer and loosen the soil well. Spiraea loves fertile and loose soil with a high percentage of acidity.
Watering and fertilizer are also required. By following all the rules, even a beginner can grow a lush and beautifully flowering bush.